February 7, 2011

Attorney General John Kroger today announced that a former assisted living aide received a 18-month prison sentence after attempting to begin a romantic relationship with an 89-year-old-man and then stealing nearly $30,000 from him.

"The Department of Justice will not tolerate taking advantage of the elderly," said Attorney General Kroger.

Patsy D. Murphy (DOB: 07/04/52) was sentenced today in Coos County Circuit Court to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty on January 3 to First-Degree Criminal Mistreatment of an elderly person and First-Degree Aggravated Theft. She was also ordered to pay 28,500 in restitution.

Murphy worked as a resident aide at Heritage Place Assisted Living Facility in Bandon from May to December 2009. While she was caring for an 89-year-old man, she learned that he had money and tried to begin a romantic relationship with him. The victim gave Murphy $28,250 to buy a new 2010 Toyota Camry that was supposed to be put in the victim's name and to be used by Murphy to transport him. Instead, Murphy put the car in her own name, told others that her son bought it for her, and then hid the car for about one month. She later sold the car and kept all the proceeds. The victim never saw Murphy again after he gave her a check for the car.

Ballard told the court that Murphy also took advantage of two other men at another assisted living home in Coos Bay last year. She received a negligee from one resident and married another.

The Oregon Department of Justice is recognized as a national leader in the fight against health care fraud. In addition to prosecuting criminal health care fraud, the Department of Justice has filed lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies for conducing fraudulent marketing campaigns. In the past year alone, the Department of Justice Medicaid and Financial Fraud units recovered $33.5 million for Oregon from companies like AstraZeneca, Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline and Omnicare for defrauding Oregon consumers and the state Medicaid program.

Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department's mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, promote a positive business climate, and defend the rights of all Oregonians.